Pre-Columbian era

The Americas prior to European influence

In the history of the Americas, pre-Columbian era, also known as pre-contact era, pre-Hispanic or as pre-Cabraline era (the latter specifically framed in Brazil), spans from the initial peopling of the Americas in the Upper Paleolithic to the onset of European colonization, which began with Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492. This era encompasses the history of Indigenous cultures prior to significant European influence, which in some cases did not occur until decades or even centuries after Columbus's arrival. During the pre-Columbian era, many civilizations developed permanent settlements, cities, agricultural practices, civic and monumental architecture, major earthworks, and complex societal hierarchies.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA. More on occurri.